Tech Tools

Using any of the tools on this page is very risky, and should only be done by a trained technician. CAS is not responsible for any problems or damage caused by the use of tools listed on this page.

File Tools

WARNING: NEVER download a file recovery tool to the device that has your missing files. NEVER recover files back to the same device you recover them from. Putting ANY files on a device that is missing files has a VERY high potential of overwriting the files you want to recover. Save all files to a different device, then verify your recovery is complete before moving them back.

HDClone

O&O

Ontrack

Partition Wizard

Homepage Free and Paid. One of the best tools we’ve seen for creating, modifying, resizing, copying, and moving partitions. Can be run off a boot disc, or from inside windows. Can resize the Windows partition without restarting the computer.

Recuva

Stellar Phoenix

TestDisk & PhotoRec

Homepage Free, Open Source. TestDisk is a tool that can find and restore corrupted or deleted partitions. PhotoRec is a tool that scans a drive for certain file types and automatically recovers them. These are powerful tools, with a specific purpose. These tools should only be run by a technician.

Undeluxe

Unstoppable Copier

Wondershare

Technician Tools

Autoruns

Homepage Autoruns is a program that can show almost all of the locations in the Windows registry where programs run from. Most unwanted programs can be disabled from running with Autoruns. To help locate malware and junkware, the program can verify if all files are digitally signed, show the date the file was created/modified, and scan each file with VirusTotal (which scans with more than 40 different virus scanners). WARNING: Disabling the wrong items in Autoruns will render your system unusable.

CCleaner

Homepage CCleaner is a tool that scans for temporary files on your computer and removes them. It also has a tool to scan for and remove unnecessary registry entries. WARNING: Recently, CCleaner has become less desirable. It runs all the time, and has additional obnoxious “features”. We recommend using an older version, and we are currently searching for a replacement.

JavaRa

McAfee GetSusp

ODIN

Homepage ODIN – “Open Disk Imager in a Nutshell” is a very lightweight tool we use to create full system images before performing major upgrades or work to a computer.

PC Decrapifier

Homepage This is one of the best tools for removing large amounts of programs at once. Unfortunately, they have recently “updated” the interface, which has resulted in the program being more difficult to use.

Process Explorer

Homepage Process Explorer shows nearly everything that is currently running on your computer. Like Autoruns, this tool can check if all files are digitally signed, and scan each file with VirusTotal.

Process Monitor

Homepage This tool records many types of activity on the computer in real time. Can be useful for tracking down permission and missing file problems. WARNING: This tool records tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of events PER SECOND.

RKill

Homepage RKill is a tool that attempts to close actively running malware, to prevent them from interfering with virus scanners. WARNING: You should always attempt to run your virus scanner before using this tool. Virus scanners scan any programs that are currently running – if the malware is not running, the scanner may not be able to detect it. Use this tool if a virus scanner fails to run.

SlimDrivers

Homepage This is a very useful tool for updating the drivers on your computer. WARNING: Program unnecessarily auto-runs with Windows. We recommend uninstalling this tool after using it.

Speccy

Homepage This tool shows a great deal of information about the hardware in a computer. A rare feature is the ability to show live system temperatures, if the system supports it.

WhoCrashed

Homepage This tool is very useful for viewing Windows Blue Screen crash dumps. It can help an advanced user or technician track down the source of a Blue Screen, if the system is configured properly.

WinDirStat

Homepage This tool can scan folders or drives on your system to show you where all your disk space is being used.

Windows AIO Repair Tool

Homepage This tool is a modern remake of Dial-A-Fix. This tool can reset registry and file permissions, re-register system DLL’s, repair many Windows components, and undo damage caused by Malware and Junkware. WARNING: This tool has the potential of causing problems if used incorrectly.

Adware and Junkware tools

Adware is a program that attempt to serve advertisements on your computer. Junkware is a program that claims there are problems with your computer that can only be repaired by paying for their software. The general term for these two types of programs is “Junkware”.

ADWCleaner

Homepage | Download ADWCleaner scans for and removes the various files and settings used by Junkware and Adware. After Junkware and Adware has been removed from a computer, this tool is very useful for finding traces left behind by these programs, as well as finding Junkware and Adware that doesn’t have an uninstaller. You can review the items found and choose which ones to remove. This tool forces a reboot after being used.

Bitdefender Adware Removal Tool

Mac/PCHomepage Another portable adware removal program, this one is not as effective as others, but is free and quick.

Junkware Removal Tool (JRT)

Homepage | Download Like ADWCleaner, Junkware Removal Tool scans for and removes files and settings left behind by Junkware and Adware. While ADWCleaner lets you review items before removing them, JRT is automatic. No reboot is required after using this tool.

Spybot Search & Destroy

NOT RECOMMENDEDDownload | Definitions This program used to be quite good, but is not currently recommended.

Virus, Malware, Ransomware, and Spyware tools

The general term used to refer to Viruses, Malware, Ransomware, and Spyware is “Malware”.

ClamWin

SCANNER ONLY, LOW RELIABILITYHomepage | Submit Sample ClamAV is the only major open-source antivirus program. ClamWin is a Windows scanningÂ program that uses the ClamAV engine. This antivirus does not have very high detection ratings. It is not active antivirus protection, and cannot protect your system from viruses.

Combofix

Homepage Combofix is a very aggressive virus, malware, and spyware removal tool. It is fully automated, and will reboot the system several times while running. Not compatible with Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. WARNING: This is a tool we do not use unless all other tools and options have been exhausted.

RogueKiller

Homepage: http://www.adlice.com/softwares/roguekiller/ Download: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/roguekiller/ Command Line: http://www.adlice.com/softwares/roguekillercmd RogueKiller is a program similar to ADWCleaner (both in function and appearance), but designed for malware.